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Donald Wardell Obituary
Born September 11, 1952 in Merrillville, Indiana, he went on to play college football at Evansville University. He moved to Austin in 1971 and would later coach at Buda, Boling, and finally Bastrop high schools. He was a beloved science teacher for 27 years in Bastrop and was one of the original organizers of the Bastrop Federation of Teachers. He took pride in his songwriting, fly-fishing, advocacy, years as a mentor and teacher, his home-grown tomatoes, and his children.
He was married to Debra Brackin for 34 years. He is survived by his children: Nathan, Seth, Emily, and Julie Wardell and 5 grandchildren.
Family and friends are invited to a celebration of his life on April 30, 2023, 12 PM @ Lake Bastrop South Shore Park, Osprey Point Hall. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his memory to Keep Bastrop County Beautiful.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Donald Wardell
Bob Hill
July 1, 2024
Super great guy. Big heart, great sense of humor. A great outdoorsman. Super good angler. Good song writer. All around great person. Love you Donnie. .
Ching Leung
April 14, 2024
Mr Wardell is my biology AP teacher,he is the first one taught me DNA sequence. Untill now I still use his knowledge what he taught
me. I try to contact him when I back to Hong Kong China, but I lost his address after several moving on my study. I miss you Mr Wardell and thank you so much all the knowledge that you have been teach me.
Ching
Monica Roffol
March 28, 2023
Many great memories of his music, storytelling, and jokes. Don made BHS a fun place to work.
Betsy Carpenter
March 31, 2023
Don was a great teacher and friend. I have fond memories of his joyful personality yet steadfast loyalty to his friends in times of trial. My classroom was connected to his classroom at BHS by walking through the lab area. Don would pop into my classroom with his guitar and begin singing a spirited song then stop and laugh at my annoyance with that incredible laugh only he had!
I knew his family and his son , Seth was in my GT classes in middle and high school. My prayers go out to Nathan, Seth, Emily, Julie and Don's grandchildren. ?????
Rest in peace my friend.
Diane Murray
March 28, 2023
Donnie was a wonderful, loving man. He leaves behind many fond memories when we lived in Bastrop and his visits to see us in Conroe.
May Donnie and my Don meet again now and play guitars together and sing crazy songs.
Love to the Wardell family from the Murray family
Diane Murray
March 28, 2023
Donnie was a wonderful, loving man. He leaves behind many fond memories when we lived in Bastrop and his visits to see us in Conroe.
May Donnie and my Don meet again now and play guitars together and sing crazy songs.
Love to the Wardell family from the Murray family
James Richardson
March 25, 2023
So sad to hear of Don's passing. I have vivid memories of the elaborate charts he would create on his chalkboard each year as it progressed. Always wondered what would have happened if a custodian accidently erased the board.
Terry Burns
March 27, 2023
I am sorry to hear this news, we went to grade school together. My memory is when we had a blizzard and I missed the school bus. I ended up walking to his house and stayed there for a few days.
Prayers to his family.
Terry Burns
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